OUR LADY

26. OUR LADY

 

My tribute to the splendid St Cuthbert’s Church in Darlington, ‘the Lady of the North’ which has stood on the site since the 1100s.  The words though can be applied to so many of our magnificent church buildings.

 

Founded by a stream serene

Nigh a thousand years has seen

Glimpsed through mist or in sun’s haze 

Treasured by us these many days

Norman wall on Saxon stone

Carved from rock our faith to hone

Turrets and towers of glinting glass

Hide from sight her mystic brass

Long ago in times thought bold

She’d loan repose to saints of old

Met foes and frauds, paupers and lords

Knights of old with whetted swords

King and queen, priest and nun

Knew them all, answered them none

Heard yon Crier rehearse the facts

Poor Law! Plague! Dread Poll Tax!

Braved fast and flood, flame and axe

Endured our plays and Bard’s long acts

Baptised our sons and buried our mums

Sent them off with sermons numb

Sounded bells for joys too brief

Nursed us in our aching griefs

Redoubt of faith, fortress of prayer

She’s seen us through in foul and fair

Firm she’s stood ‘gainst Nature’s ire

Proofed against all storm and fire

'Spite Blitz and bomb and all that’s wrong

She stands here still, proud and strong.


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